group undergoing instruction in rifle practice do not know how to hold the breath in the proper manner. Each man must be carefully instructed and tested on this point. The correct manner of holding the breath must be practiced at all times during position and trigger-squeeze exercises and whenever firing or simulating fire. b. To hold the breath properly, draw into the lungs a little more air than is used in an ordinary breath. Let out a little of this air and stop the rest by closing the throat, so that the rest of the air in the lungs will press against the closed throat. Do not hold the breath with the throat open or by the muscular action of the diaphragm as if attempting to draw in more air. The imporant point is to be comfortable and steady while aiming and squeezing the trigger.

14. Use of the aiming device (see Pl. 8).-This device will be used freely in the preparatory position, the trigger-squeeze exercises and gallery practice so as to in

struct the men in aiming and to correct errors. The device is a great help to the instructor in teaching men to shoot, both in preparatory work and in range practice. It is principally used in the position and trigger-squeeze exercises in the preparatory period. It can not be used to advantage on the range when there is a poor light on the target. It can always be used to good advantage in the preparatory exercises, because the small aiming bull's-eye is so close that outlines are distinct and the target can always be so placed as to be clearly seen. (For the exact method of using the aiming device, see questions and answers, paragraph 53.)

15. General rules for positions.-The following general rules are common to the prone, sitting, kneeling, and standing positions. They will be considered a part of each paragraph on positions and will be referred to when studying those paragraphs. a. To assume any position, first half face to the right and then assume the position.

b. Upon assuming any position there is some point to which the rifle points naturally and without effort. If this point is not the center of the target the whole

body must be shifted so as to bring the target into proper alignment. Otherwise the firer will be firing under a strain, because he will be pulling the rifle on the target by muscular effort for each shot.

c. The right hand grasps the small of the stock. The right thumb may be either around the small of the stock or along the right side of the stock. The position of the thumb will be such as to prevent injury to the face in firing. Most riflemen place the thumb along the right side of the stock.

d. The left hand is against or near the lower band swivel, the rifle resting in the palm of the left hand.

e. The left elbow will be as nearly under the rifle as it can be placed without appreciable effort.

f. The trigger should ordinarily be squeezed with the second joint of the index finger. The first joint may be used by men, the length of whose arm or the size of whose hand is such as to make it difficult to reach the trigger with the second joint, or to whom the first joint of the finger seems more natural and comfortable.

g. The cheek is always pressed firmly against the stock and placed as far forward as possible without straining. It is desirable to have the eye as near as possible to the rear sight.

h. Left-handed men should be trained to shoot in the right-handed position. If this change is found to produce poor results in the case of any man, he will be allowed to shoot in the left-handed position. But he must be given additional preparatory rapid-fire practice to attain rapidity in working the bolt.

i. Men who can not close the left eye may shoot in the left-handed position, but in practically all cases of this kind the man can, by practice, acquire the ability to close the left eye or to shoot with both eyes open.

16. Prone position (see Pl. 9).— -a. Body lying at an angle of 45° to the line of aim with the spine straight; legs well apart; inside of the feet flat on the ground, or as nearly so as is possible without strain; elbows well under the body, so as to raise the chest off the ground; right hand grasping the small of the stock; left hand near the lower band swivel, the rifle resting on the palm of the hand; cheek pressed firmly against the stock with the eye as near the cocking piece as it can be placed without straining; gun sling properly adjusted and tight enough to give firm support.

b. The elbows should not be unduly spread apart, because such separation results in an unsteady position and brings the chest so near the ground that the neck has to be strained backward in order to see through the sights. This strained position of the neck interferes with good vision and tends to make the firer unsteady. The exact angle of the arms to the ground will depend somewhat upon the conformation of the man. The right elbow should be so placed that the right upper arm will not form an angle of less than 45° with the ground.

c. The exact position of the left hand will depend on the length of arm and width of chest of the individual. It should be as near the lower band swivel as the conformation of the man will permit. The left hand will never be placed against, or near, the trigger guard.

d. A tight gun sling will feel uncomfortable until the muscles of the arm have become accustomed to the pressure. When the gun sling is properly adjusted, it is necessary to raise the right elbow from the ground in order to place the butt of the rifle against the shoulder readily.

17. Sandbag rest position (see Pl. 10).—a. The sandbag rest position conforms in every detail to the normal prone position described in the preceding paragraph, with the addition of a sandbag which supports the left forearm, wrist, and hand.

b. The bag is a little more than half full and tied near the top, so as to leave considerable free space above the sand.

c. It is important that the sandbag be high enough to permit the taking of the normal prone position. The natural tendency is to have a low rest and to be very flat on the ground with the elbows spread apart. This is a faulty position, which causes lower scores than if no rest at all were used. The sandbag, when properly adjusted, is a great help. When it is not properly adjusted it is a handicap.

d. The sandbag rest position is used in the first stages of a pupil's training, not to teach steadiness of holding but to teach the correct trigger squeeze. By using the sandbag the slight unsteadiness of the hold is avoided and the temptation to snap in the shot at the instant the sights touch the bull's-eye, an action which causes all poor shooting, is eliminated.

e. The coach will adjust the sandbag as follows:

(1) Have the pupil assume the prone position and aim at the target.

(2) Set the sandbag on its bottom and arrange the sand so that it is slightly higher than the back of the pupil's left hand.

(3) Facing the pupil, straddle the rifle barrel, and slide the sandbag against the pupil's left forearm, so that the narrow side of the bag supports his forearm and wrist and the back of his hand rests on top.

(4) Lower the sandbag to the proper height by pounding it with the hand.

18. Sitting position (see Pl. 11).—a. The firer sits half-faced to the right; feet well apart and well braced on the heels, which are dug slightly into the ground; body leaning well forward; both arms resting inside the legs and well braced; cheek pressed

firmly against the stock and placed as far forward as possible without straining; left hand near the lower band swivel, the rifle resting on the palm of the hand. b. The sitting position is used in the field when firing from ground that slopes downward to the front. In practicing this position the feet may be slightly lower than the ground upon which the pupil sits. Sitting on a low sandbag is authorized.

19. Kneeling position (see Pl. 12).-The firer kneels half-faced to the right on the right knee, sitting on the right heel; the left knee bent so that the left lower leg is vertical; left arm well under the rifle and resting on the left knee with the point of the elbow beyond the kneecap; right elbow approximately at the height of the shoulder; cheek pressed firmly against the stock and placed as far forward as possible without strain. Sitting on the side of the foot instead of the heel is authorized.

20. Standing position (see Pl. 13).-The firer stands half-faced to the right; feet from 1 foot to 2 feet apart; body erect and well balanced; left elbow well under the rifle; left hand grasping the piece in front of the balance, rifle resting on the palm

of the left hand, which grasps the piece in front of the balance; butt of the piece high up on the shoulder and firmly held; right elbow approximately at the height of the shoulder; cheek pressed against the stock and placed as far forward as possible without strain. A position, with the left hand against or under the trigger guard and with the left upper arm supported against the body, is not a practical field position and is prohibited.

21. Positions in standing trench.-a. These positions will vary according to the style of trench and build of the man. In general, it is a good plan to have as many points of support for the body and arms as possible.

In a trench that has no berm for the left elbow the position is the normal standing position. The left hand is placed against the top of the parapet and the rifle, just beyond the hand, rests on the parapet. With the berm, the position is about the same, except that the left elbow rests on the berm. When the berm is wide enough, as it often is, both elbows can be rested on it, in which case the position of the upper part of the body is about the same as in the prone position with the sandbag rest.

b. In all positions in a trench the soldier should lean well against the butt of the rifle to insure firmness and steadiness.

22. Position exercises. Instruction in positions is the second step in the preparatory training and is conducted as follows:

a. The instructor assembles his squad or group, shows them the proper method of blackening the front and rear sights of the rifle and has each pupil blacken his sights.